Isla del Carmen is an island of , located in the
Gulf of California, in
Loreto Municipality in the eastern portion of the state of
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur (; 'South Lower California'), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Baja California Sur ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California Sur), is the least populated state and the 31st admitted state of the 32 federal ent ...
,
Mexico. The island is protected within Loreto Bay National Park which is within the
UNESCO ''"Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California"''
Mexican World Heritage Site.
History
The tidal bay on the north east end of the island was the site of a salt producing facility run by the company Salinas del Pacifico SA de CV. The submerged remnants of a loading dock are still present off shore of the bay.
Environment
Climate
The island has a
desert climate similar to that of the Sonoran desert.
Conservation
Efforts to protect the island began in 1996 when the Vida Silvestre Organization, AC and Salinas del Pacifico SA de CV began a partnership to protect the native flora and fauna. Isla del Carmen supports many bird species, such as the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), the scissor-tailed flycatcher, magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificent) and the blue-footed booby
The blue-footed booby (''Sula nebouxii'') is a marine bird native to subtropical and tropical regions of the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is one of six species of the genus '' Sula'' – known as boobies. It is easily recognizable by its distinct ...
(Sula nebouxii) as well as various reptiles and rodent mammals. The island provides nesting sites for seabirds such as the yellow-footed gull (Larus livens), the sparrow hawk (Pandion haliaetus) and the American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus).[
A program to reestablish the once native Big Horn Sheep population on the island began in 1995. ][
]
References
External links
Frommers.com: Loreto (Baja California Sur) National Geographic.com: photo
Islands of Baja California Sur
Islands of the Gulf of California
Loreto Municipality (Baja California Sur)
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